Should I take a standup comedy class?

I struggle with depression and PTSD/trauma. There is an organization called Stand Up For Mental Health that teaches mental health consumers to do stand up comedy about their journeys through mental health. The idea is to build confidence and fight the stigma of mental illness. There is a performance with a real live audience at the end of the course. I have been told I can be very funny. What do you think? Should I take the class?

I think this sounds like a brilliant idea to me -- but each participant needs to fit it to their own particular situation. I think you need some individual advice from your own personal advisers who know you and your history. Talk to your pastor, counselor, or doctor, but make your own decision.If it appeals to you, that seems like a good sign.

Good advice Rochelle. That is actually what students will be encouraged to do. We are not there to humiliate or poke fun at others but to use our own lived experience. A requirement to take the class is to have strong formal (professional) and informal (friends, family etc.) supports to help us.

Sounds good to me, what better than laughter? I also think laughing at ourselves is a bit like confession and has the same benefits. You have to look at and see your faults before you can laugh at them and if you can them seems a good road to recovery to me.

Sure, laughter is good for the soul, as we know! I have always thought about doing Stand Up too because I will joke and laugh to ease stress. When my children were small, I would just make up funny stories and they actually laughed, but it actually helped me! So, I think it is a great idea. After they grew up, I threatened them that I was going to go on the road and do Stand Up, but since I am always so tired, maybe Sit Down would be better : )

If you do try this, please let us know dear friend how it goes. I will keep you in my prayers. In His Love, Faith Reaper

I would suggest a few books on the structure of joke writing. It can be learned. Some tips are: thought de-railment, self abasement, double entendre, the call back, exaggeration, pauses and the reversal. Professional comedians use these tricks when writing material, but all material still must be tested. They practice on video or in front of a mirror. Don't forget facial expressions. They perform the jokes with a digital recorder in their pocket to see which ones the crowd laughs at. The basic rule is, if they don't laugh, keep rolling. For the comedian, it is always just a test to see what works. Don't take it seriously. It's just feedback. Then they improve the jokes or replace them with better ones. They also use a segue to change subjects. When the crowd laughs from start to finish, they have a successful show.

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